Two-sex life table analysis and digestive physiology of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on different barley cultivars

The life table parameters and digestive enzymatic activity of Sitotroga cerealella Olivier (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), an important insect pest of grains, were studied under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, relative humidity of 65 ± 5% and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) h). Seeds of ten barley cultivars including Bahman, CB-84-10, Fajr30, Makuyi, Nosrat, Yousof, 12A₁, 13A₁, 18A₁ and 19A₁ were used as host diet. S. cerealella showed the shortest developmental time and the highest survival and fecundity after feeding on cultivar 19A₁. The longest developmental time and the lowest fecundity were on cultivars Bahman and Fajr30, respectively. The gross and net reproductive rates and intrinsic rate of increase were the highest when S. cerealella was reared on cultivar 19A₁. However, a corresponding decrease in these parameters was observed on cultivar Fajr30. Fourth instar larvae fed on cultivar 19A₁ showed higher α-amylase activity than those fed on other barley cultivars. However, S. cerealella larvae exhibited no significant difference in proteolytic activity among barley cultivars. Correlation analyses showed that high correlations existed between the life table parameters and α-amylase activity on one side and particle size index on the other. It is suggested that nutritional quality, especially seed hardness, may be the major factor responsible for the susceptibility of barley cultivars to S. cerealella.     

Assessment of eight rice cultivars flour for feeding resistance to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is an important pest of processed stored grains worldwide. Study of life history, feeding efficiency and digestive function of an insect on different host cultivars can indicate their resistance for the insect's population increase. Due to the economic importance of T. castaneum on stored rice flour, this research was aimed to investigate the life history, feeding indices and digestive enzymatic activity of T. castaneum on flour of eight rice cultivars (Ali-Kazemi, Dom-Siah, Fajr, Gilaneh, Gohar, Hashemi, Khazar, and Neda). A delay in the developmental time of T. castaneum was detected on cultivar Gohar. The lowest fecundity and egg fertility were observed on cultivar Gohar. Feeding indices of fourth instar larvae were the lowest on cultivars Gohar and Neda. The amylolytic activity of fourth instar larvae was the highest on cultivars Hashemi, Dom-Siah, Ali-Kazemi and Gilaneh, and the lowest on cultivar Gohar. Also, the highest and lowest proteolytic activities of fourth instar larvae were on cultivars Khazar and Hashemi, respectively. Significant correlations were detected between tested parameters of T. castaneum with starch and protein value of examined cultivars flour. The results of cluster analysis indicate that Dom-Siah, Hashemi and Ali-Kazemi are relatively susceptible cultivars, and other tested cultivars, especially Gohar, are relatively resistant cultivars for feeding of T. castaneum. The resistant rice cultivars could be further evaluated to identify secondary biochemicals that contribute to T. castaneum resistance.     

Nutritional responses and digestive enzymatic profile of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on 10 commercial rice cultivars

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is an important polyphagous pest of stored grains in the world. Nutritional performance and digestive amylase and protease activity of fifth instar larvae were studied on different commercial rice cultivars (Sadri, Tarom, Neda, Fajr, Nemat, Shafagh, Kadous, Gohar, Gilane, and Khazar) at 33 ± 1 °C, relative humidity of 65 ± 5%, and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Larvae fed with cultivar Gilane consumed more food and increased body weight higher than those fed with other cultivars. However, the lowest values of nutritional indices were found in larvae fed with cultivar Khazar. The lightest pupal weight was on cultivars Fajr, Nemat and Sadri. The larval growth index differed from 1.99 to 2.67 on cultivars Khazar and Tarom, respectively. Among various tested cultivars, the highest standardized insect-growth index was on cultivar Gilane, whereas the lowest index was on cultivars Fajr, Nemat and Sadri. Furthermore, the fitness index showed the highest value on cultivars Gilane and Neda, and the lowest on cultivar Sadri. The amylolytic activity was the highest in larvae fed with cultivar Gilane, and the lowest in larvae fed with cultivars Fajr and Khazar. The cultivar Gilane-fed larvae exhibited the highest proteolytic activity as compared with other cultivars. The cluster analysis showed that Nemat, Neda, Fajr and Khazar were the least suitable (partially resistant) cultivars to T. granarium, which could be further investigated to identify proteins that contribute to khapra beetle resistance.     

The susceptibility of animal feed containing Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation

Understanding the susceptibility of commercially available animal feeds which contain Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles (DDGS) to insect infestation is the first step in developing a pest management strategy for a stored product. This study is a nascent analysis of animal feed containing DDGS susceptibility to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation, one of the most important post-harvest insect pests world-wide. Three types of animal feed containing 5–10% DDGS in their formula mixtures were obtained from two feed manufacturers in Indiana, USA including: crumbled poultry feed, pelletized juvenile frog feed, and pelletized adult frog feed. Besides commercially available animal feed, laboratory manufactured feed were simulated by mixing Flour/Yeast (F/Y), T. castaneum normal laboratory diet, with 10, 20, 30, 40, and 80% DDGS (% based on weight). Larval developmental time was used to evaluate feed susceptibility to T. castaneum infestation. The T. castaneum larval period was significantly increased when fed on pelletized adult frog feed, pelletized juvenile frog feed, and crumbled poultry feed (29.8 ± 0.5, 26.0 ± 0.3, and 21.9 ± 0.3 d respectively), compared with F/Y (16.1 ± 0.3 d). The larval period was significantly decreased however, when fed on ground poultry feed (15.5 ± 0.2 d). Insect development on laboratory manufactured feeds was similar to F/Y regardless of DDGS ratios added in this study (15.9–16.9 d). These results suggested that first; particle size (PS) was one of the influential factors on susceptibility of commercially available animal feed to T. castaneum apart from feed chemical composition, and second, adding 10–80% DDGS to the laboratory manufactured feed did not change feed susceptibility to T. castaneum infestation.     

Growth performance and digestive enzymes activity of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) feeding on six rice cultivars

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), is one of the major insect pests of stored-grains such as wheat and rice. Due to various difficulties associated with synthetic pesticides, more environmentally friendly alternative methods are greatly appreciated for controlling pests. In the present study, development, growth index, reproductive success of the females and the amylolytic and proteolytic activities of R. dominica were investigated on six rice cultivars. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions inside a growth chamber, which was set at 28 °C, 70% R.H. Our results showed that cultivar Hashemi was the more suitable host for R. domininica because the highest larval and pupal survival rate, longevity of adults, fecundity, hatchability of females, food consumption, maximal growth index, as well as the highest amylolytic and proteolytic activities. In contrast, cultivar Gohvar showed the most suitable suite of traits to reduce potential aspects of feeding by R. domininica because the lowest larval and pupal survival rate, adult longevity, fecundity, hatchability, and lower adult weight and food consumption. Results suggested that cultivar Govhar cultivar as an unsuitable host for R. domininica could be considered in the integrated management of this pest.     

Fecundity of wild Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) from southeast Queensland, Australia

Fecundity was investigated in wild Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) from southeast Queensland, Australia. Although the fecundity of T. castaneum has been investigated in laboratory studies, the reproductive potential of wild females may be less than that of females reared and tested under favourable laboratory conditions. Adult T. castaneum were trapped using corrugated cardboard traps baited with whole wheat flour on four occasions during May-July 1997 in a grain-growing area of southeast Queensland. After each trapping period, fecundity of individual wild females was assessed on whole wheat flour at 30°C and 55% erh. In addition, F₁ adults were pooled, a sample was taken and fecundity of individual females was assessed similarly. Almost 90% of the adults were trapped on four of the 10 grain storage sites, and these sites yielded females on all four trapping occasions. There was no systematic effect of trapping period on fecundity of wild females, and in three of these four sites there was no effect at all. There were no significant differences between numbers of progeny produced by F₁ females derived from different trapping periods, so the data were pooled for comparison with the results from wild females. Generally, fecundity of wild females was high relative to that of F₁ females which had been reared under uniformly favourable conditions in the laboratory. Despite the trapping occurring during some of the coldest months of the year, females were clearly active and capable of reproducing, demonstrating the importance of maintaining high levels of grain hygiene throughout the year.     

Effect of methoprene treated polymer packaging on fecundity,egg hatchability,and egg-to-adult emergence of Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma variabile

The fecundity, egg hatchability, and egg-to-adult emergence of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion, were evaluated on untreated and methoprene-treated polyethylene-to-polyethylene (PE-PE) and polyethylene terephthalate-to-polyethylene (PET-PE) packaging at 27 and 32 °C and 60% r.h. Inside and outside surfaces of the packaging were fit into ∼62 cm² Petri dishes, and 500 mg of flour (T. castaneum) or vanilla shake mix diet (T. variabile) were added to arenas as food for developing larvae. On methoprene-treated PE-PE packaging, hatchability of added T. castaneum eggs was consistently lower than on untreated packaging. On PET-PE packaging, hatchability of T. castaneum eggs on inside surfaces at both temperatures was significantly lower than on untreated packaging. No consistent trends were observed in T. variabilile hatchability between the packaging types, temperatures, and on inside and outside surfaces of untreated and methoprene-treated packaging. The fecundity of T. variabile was not significantly different between the packaging types. None of the T.castaneum eggs on inside and outside surfaces of the PE-PE methoprene-treated packaging emerged as adults. Methoprene-treated PET-PE packaging reduced fecundity of T. castaneum. Generally, hatchability of eggs laid by both species was not significantly different among the treatment combinations. Only the inside surface of PET-PE packaging gave 100% suppression of egg-to-adult adult emergence of T. castaneum. Development of T. variabile larvae was arrested at the pupal stage at both temperatures on the outside surface of methoprene-treated PE-PE packaging, whereas on the inside surface larvae completed development to adulthood. A 87–97% reduction in egg-to-adult emergence of T. variabile was observed on the inside surface of the PET-PE packaging relative to emergence in corrresponding control treatments at both temperatures. The packaging types evaluated in this study can potentially protect food products stored in these packages from infestations of T. castaneum and T. variable.     

Rice cultivars affect fitness-related characteristics and digestive physiology of the rice weevil,Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), is one of the main pests of rice and other stored grains. Due to the negative effects of synthetic pesticides on the environment and non-target organisms, more environmentally benign alternative control techniques are needed for controlling pests. In the present study, the development, reproduction, and digestive enzyme activity of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) were evaluated on 12 rice cultivars under laboratory conditions [28 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h]. Among tested rice cultivars, the developmental time of S. oryzae immature stages was the shortest on DomSiah (33.0 days), Hashemi var. Guilan (34.0 days) and Hashemi var. Mazandaran (34.0 days) and the longest on Neda (44.5 days). The highest fecundity was recorded for beetles reared on cultivars DomSiah (316.8 eggs), Hashemi var. Mazandaran (301.1 eggs), and Hashemi var. Guilan (293.3 eggs); and the lowest for beetles reared on cultivar Neda (147.0 eggs). The highest survival of immature stages was recorded on cultivars Hashemi var. Mazandaran (80.0%), AliKazemi (75.2%), DomSiah (73.6%), and Hashemi var. Guilan (71.0%) whereas those on cultivar Neda (25.3%) had the lowest survival. The female adults that developed from larvae reared on cultivars Neda, Govhar, and Fajr had the lowest body mass (67.7, 68.6, and 69.4 mg). Also, the males’ mass was the lowest on cultivars Neda, Fajr, Shiroudi, and Govhar (60.7, 62.2, 62.9 63.3 mg, respectively). The adults developed from larvae reared on cultivars Fajr and Neda had the lowest levels of α-amylase activity (1.77 and 1.64 mU/min/individual, respectively). Also, those reared on cultivar Neda had the lowest levels of protease activity (0.067 OD/min/individual). Results suggest cultivar Neda, as an unsuitable food for S. oryzae development that negatively affects the amylolytic and proteolytic activity of this pest, could be considered in the integrated management programs of this pest.     

On-farm comparison of different postharvest storage technologies in a maize farming system of Tanzania Central Corridor

Seven methods for storing maize were tested and compared with traditional storage of maize in polypropylene bags. Twenty farmers managed the experiment under their prevailing conditions for 30 weeks. Stored grain was assessed for damage every six weeks. The dominant storage insect pests identified were the Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) and the Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). The moisture content of grain in hermetic conditions increased from 12.5 ± 0.2% at the start of storage to a range of 13.0 ± 0.2–13.5 ± 0.2% at 30 weeks. There was no significant difference (F = 87.09; P < 0.0001) regarding insect control and grain damage between hermetic storage and fumigation with insecticides. However, the insecticide treatment of polypropylene yarn (ZeroFly^®) did not control the insect populations for the experimental period under farmers' management. Grain damage was significantly lower in hermetic storage and fumigated grain than ZeroFly^® and polypropylene bags without fumigation. No significant difference in grain damage was found between airtight treatment alone and when combined with the use of insecticides. During storage, S. zeamais was predominant and could be of more economic importance than T. castaneum as far as maize damage is concerned. At 30 weeks, the germination rate of grain stored with insecticides or in hermetic storage (68.5 ± 3.6% to 81.4 ± 4.0%) had not significantly reduced from the rate before storage (F = 15.55; P < 0.0001) except in ZeroFly^®, also in polypropylene bags without treatment. Even though such bags did not control storage pests, farmers still liked this cheap technology. Hermetic storage techniques can be recommended to farmers without the use of insecticides provided they are inexpensive, and the proper application of technologies is ensured.     

Effect of chemical and physical properties of Dried Distillers Grains with solubles (DDGS) on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) development

Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) has been used as a grain-based supplement in animal feed. The focus of this study was to investigate the effects of chemical and physical characteristics that may affect DDGS susceptibility to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation. Multiple regression-based models were built to determine if the diet’s chemical and physical characteristics affect T. castaneum development. Based on the regression models, diet particle size was the most influential factor in larval development. Larval weight increased more rapidly on T. castaneum normal laboratory diet, 90% flour/10% brewer’s yeast (F/Y), followed by ground DDGS, compared to raw DDGS with different particle sizes. To determine the effect of diet particle size on larval development, experiments were conducted to increase particle size by pelletizing F/Y using a rotary drum granulation apparatus. T. castaneum larval stage lasted significantly longer on F/Y granules with a particle size of 1.4 mm or larger. Although the chemical properties of DDGS (protein, fat, fiber and ash content) were not significant predictors of T. castaneum larval development, larval developmental time and weight gain on ground DDGS was significantly slower than on F/Y, highlighting the potential importance of nutritional factors not accounted for in our analysis. Our results conclude that storing DDGS as raw ingredient and in the granule or pellet form with large particle size may help limit T. castaneum infestations. Although granulation or pelletization may not be economically feasible for small manufacturing plants, larger producers may benefit from the reduced risk of insect contamination associated with secondary feeders such as T. castaneum.     

Investigating Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles vulnerability to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) infestation by using choice and no-choice experiments

Demand for Dried Distiller's Grains with Solubles (DDGS) in international markets and the United States has increased during the past few years. Knowledge of DDGS supplemented animal feed vulnerability to insect infestation is critical for safe feed storage. To assess this vulnerability, it is necessary to know how DDGS is susceptible to insect infestation, while stored as raw ingredient. This research focused on the susceptibility of different types of DDGS (raw and ground) to red flour beetle, T. castaneum, infestation under 30% and 50% relative humidity (r.h.) regimes. Larval period at 30% r.h. increased 2–3 fold on raw DDGS diets with larger particle sizes (PSs) compared with their normal laboratory diet, a mixture of flour and yeast (9:1) (F/Y). However, grinding DDGS samples and increasing the r.h. to 50% decreased the amount of time required for insect development thus increasing DDGS vulnerability to T. castaneum infestation compared with raw DDGS at r.h. of 30%. As was expected, T. castaneum egg and pupal development were not affected by diet or humidity. The results suggested that DDGS as a raw ingredient at 30% r.h. was not a suitable food source for T. castaneum and given a choice, the majority of T. castaneum adults prefer laboratory diet over DDGS. Additionally, fecundity was significantly lower on DDGS compared with the control diets (F/Y and ground corn (GCORN)). These results indicated that these types of DDGS were not suitable developmental diets compared with the F/Y diet if stored at 30% r.h. with larger PSs.     

Susceptibility of Tribolium castaneum and Trogoderma variabile larvae and adults exposed to methoprene-treated woven packaging material

Methoprene is an insect growth regulator (IGR) registered in the United States for direct application to stored raw grains, as an aerosol or residual contact insecticide, and for use as a coating for protection of packaged products. A series of tests was conducted to determine the adverse effects of short term exposure, sub-lethal exposure, and continual exposure of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile Ballion, on methoprene-treated woven packaging material at 27 and 32 °C and 60% r.h. In the first test, larvae of both species were added to individual arenas and exposed for different time intervals, removed and resulting adult emergence was assessed. In the second test, eggs of both species were exposed on the packaging surfaces to determine percent egg hatchability. In the third test, adults of T. castaneum and T. variabile were added to arenas and held for 7 and 3 d, respectively, to determine number of eggs laid per female and subsequent egg hatchability. The eggs were held in arenas to determine the effect of continual exposure on egg-to-adult emergence. Results showed normal adult emergence decreased with increasing exposure time and temperature. Exposure to methoprene-treated packaging did not adversely affect fecundity of T. variabile adults, but did affect fecundity of T. castaneum. Continual exposure gave 100% suppression of T. castaneum adult emergence and a reduction of T. variabile emergence. This study indicated that methoprene-treated packaging could be a valuable addition to an existing integrated pest management program to increase protection of packaged products.     

Characterization of volatile organic compounds released by granivorous insects in stored wheat

Identification of the volatile organic compounds released by insects can be used to detect insects in stored grains. An attempt was made to identify the volatile organic compounds released by Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (rusty grain beetle) by headspace analysis. Feasibility of the automatic headspace sampler in headspace analysis was found to be positive. The amount of volatiles produced by T. castaneum adults increased with an increase in insect density. The concentration of methyl-1,4-benzoquinone; ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone; and 1-tridecene released by ten adult insects were: 8.5, 9.1 and 10.6 μg/100 μL compared to 7, 8 and 4.2 μg/100 μL for five adult insects. Extreme high or low temperature leading to death produced very high amounts of volatiles compared to insects kept at 35 °C. The larvae of the T. castaneum insects did not produce any volatiles at ambient condition or at extreme cold or hot condition. The C. ferrugineus adults did not produce any detectable amount of volatiles even at very high insect density after up to 3 days. The results of the combination of T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus insects gave the same volatile compounds as produced by T. castaneum insects alone.     

Efficacy of methoprene for multi-year protection of stored wheat,brown rice,rough rice and corn

Hard red winter wheat, brown rice, rough rice, and corn were treated with the insect growth regulator (IGR) methoprene at rates of 1.25 and 2.5 ppm, held for 24 months at ambient conditions in buckets on the floor of a grain bin, and sampled every two months. Bioassays were done by exposing 10 mixed-sex adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), the lesser grain borer, and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), the red flour beetle, on wheat, R. dominica and Sitotroga cerealella (Oliver), the Angoumois grain moth, on brown rice and rough rice, and T. castaneum and S. cerealella on corn. Sample size for all commodities was about 80 g, and these samples were held for 3 months at 27°C-60% r.h. Both rates of the IGR completely suppressed adult progeny development of R. dominica with little resulting feeding damage, sample weight loss, or insect damaged kernels (IDK). Some adult progeny production of S. cerealella and resulting IDK occurred at both rates on rough rice, brown rice, and corn, but was far less than in untreated controls. There was little adult progeny production but some feeding damage caused by larval T. castaneum in the treated wheat and corn but again far less than in untreated control. Allowing continual exposure of parental adults on grains treated with an IGR, rather than exposing those parental adults for a short time period, may give more accurate evaluations of residual efficacy. Results show that methoprene used as a grain protectant will give residual control of stored product beetles for 24 months, but complete control of S. cerealella may require inclusion of a contact insecticide.     

Effect of different legume seeds on life table parameters of cowpea weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is one of the most important storage pests of legume seeds. The effect of various legume species including chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) (cultivars Hashem and Mansour), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) (cultivars Mashhad and 1057), green gram (Vigna radiata L.) (cultivar Parto), lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (cultivar Bilehsavar) was studied on the life history and life table parameters of C. maculatus at 30 ± 1 °C, relative humidity of 65 ± 5% and complete darkness. The developmental time was longest on lentil and shortest on cowpea 1057. The fecundity (number of eggs laid per reproductive period) of the pest was the lowest on lentil. The longest oviposition period was observed on chickpea Hashem. The gross and net reproductive rates were the highest on chickpea Mansour and lowest on lentil. The intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase were the lowest when C. maculatus was reared on lentil and highest when it was reared on other hosts. The longest and shortest mean generation times were observed on lentil and cowpea 1057, respectively. According to the obtained results, lentil was relatively resistant and the other tested legumes were more susceptible hosts for feeding and population increase of C. maculatus. It is concluded that the resistant host cultivar can be proposed to be incorporated into breeding programs to minimize the economic losses incurred by C. maculatus.     

Metals in mandibles of stored product insects: do zinc and manganese enhance the ability of larvae to infest seeds?

Although high concentrations of zinc and manganese were found in mandibles of insect larvae that bore into seeds, these metals were not detected in mandibles of insect larvae that attack previously damaged seeds. Metals were present in the larval mandibles of a lepidopteran, the Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella), and eight coleopterans, the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum), spider beetle (Gibbium aequinoctiale), warehouse beetle (Trogoderma variabile), cadelle (Tenebroides mauritanicus), larger black flour beetle (Cynaeus angustus), and cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus). Larvae of these species can chew into seeds. Larvae of six other coleopterans, the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci), sawtoothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis), rusty grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), longheaded flour beetle (Latheticus oryzae), and granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius) have little if any ability to chew into seeds, and did not have metal in their mandibles. Larvae of the granary weevil hatch and feed within seeds that were penetrated previously during egg deposition by adults. However, newly hatched larvae of the cowpea weevil and the Angoumois grain moth have to bore through the seed coat before they begin feeding, and they have mandibles with high concentrations of zinc. These data support the hypothesis that deposition of zinc and/or manganese in larval mandibles enhances the larva's ability to penetrate seeds.     

Radiation sensitivity of successively irradiated generations of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae), and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

Four populations of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) were treated with 0 (control), 0·5, 1 or 2 krad of gamma radiation for 7 and 5 successive generations, respectively, and the adults from the subsequent unirradiated generation of each population were checked for fecundity. Groups of 6th generation T. castaneum and S. oryzae adults from each population were tested for resistance to acute radiation by exposure to doses of 16 and 50 krad followed by a check for mortality.No evidence of increased resistance to acute radiation exposures was found. Irradiated T. castaneum populations did not show significant decreases in mean survival time, but some significant decreases in life-span of irradiated S. oryzae populations were found.Fecundity of the 8th generation 0·5 krad T. castaneum was greater than that of the control population, but 1- and 2-krad populations did not show any difference in fecundity. Fecundity of the 6th generation S. oryzae population was not significantly different from that of the control, but 1- and 2-krad populations had significantly reduced fecundities. The test results indicated that possible accidental exposure of some insects to substerilizing doses during commercial radiation disinfestation is unlikely to bring about the development of radiation-resistant insect populations.     

Testing the consistency of spatio-temporal patterns of flight activity in the stored grain beetles Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.)

Many studies have been published on the flight activity of stored grain beetles in temperate regions, but few have focussed on tropical and sub-tropical regions. The spatio-temporal patterns of flight activity of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) were quantified in a grain growing district on the Tropic of Capricorn in central Queensland, Australia. Nine traps baited with aggregation pheromone lures were monitored at 2-wk intervals (fortnightly) for 1 year along a 28.4 km linear transect that included sites at bulk grain depots and sites away from stored grain. Beetles of both species were trapped every fortnight during the study. The spatio-temporal patterns of flight activity differed greatly across the two species, as predicted from studies elsewhere. Rhyzopertha dominica was widespread across the landscape, as the mean trap catch of this species was equal in depot and non-depot traps. In contrast, T. castaneum was more frequently trapped in depot traps than non-depot traps during the colder months, but was much more widespread across the landscape during the summer months. Tribolium castaneum also showed a clear mid-summer peak in flight activity, whereas R. dominica flight activity was highly variable throughout the study. In general, our results reveal patterns that are consistent with those found for T. castaneum and R. dominica in southern Queensland. The contrasting spatio-temporal patterns of flight activity of R. dominica and T. castaneum show that species-specific approaches may be needed to manage these pests and that the spatio-temporal dynamics of resistance genes may differ across these species.     

Laboratory evaluation of development and survival of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under constant temperatures

The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a serious pest of stored products. The effect of temperature on the development and survival of this species was determined at five constant temperatures (20, 25, 30, 32.5 and 35 °C) in the laboratory. Results showed a temperature-dependent development of T. castaneum. Data were fitted to the nonlinear Briere model, which for the total immature period estimated the lower threshold at 20.2 °C, the upper developmental threshold at 35.3 °C, and the temperature for maximum developmental rate at 31.2 °C. The Ikemoto and Takai linear model indicated that 659.7 degree-days above a threshold of 16.9 °C were needed to complete immature development from egg to adult emergence. Survival of immature stages varied significantly across temperatures and was well described by an extreme-value function. The model indicated that the highest survival (73.0%) was estimated to occur at 27.4 °C. The curve shows a skewed bell shape, indicating that survival decreases at both ends of the temperature range. These results are useful tools for the prediction of T. castaneum phenology, as well as for its management.